Please help with Pegintron Ribavarin side effects

[Dee1956]

Hello, I just took injection 21 of the Pegintron.  I find that I am unable to relax or calm myself.  I am way too sensitive, easily hurt, easily misunderstand others as they misunderstand me.  Once upset I just want to scream, cry etc. My muscles are in knots.  I am forcing the water as much as I can I am on Prozac and Xanax however I think I must need something else and was hoping someone would suggest something to help me.  I am afraid I will not have a friend or family member left by my side by the time I complete treatment.  I  had a serious infection last week (boil) which is still draining so I wonder if that could be adding to my distress.  Distressed is exactly what I feel.  I am trying so very hard to keep myself under control however I am  doing a bad job.  As we all have other problems during treatment (we do not get a time out while on tx) I have had many problems.   I treated in 2008  with pegysus,Riba and polymerase inhibitor; I did not experience this, I did not plan for the extra expenses of prescriptions, potions, lotions to control side effects so money is an issue.   I am  trying to do meditation to help however I am new at this.  I was wondering if perhaps anyone else experienced severe anxiety and tense muscles during tx and what did they do to help themselves. Right now I am trying calcium magnesium potassium, zinc.   I would really be so grateful to anyone who could reply.  While I realize I need to ask my doctor I have done that and his reply so far has been to tell me it was in the literature I was given.  Ok, I understand, isn't there something that could help me? I will call again on Monday to let him know it has gotten worse in the past week.  I feel I am at the end of my rope and my mind is telling me to just stop the tx.  I know that it is not the answer, I do not want ESLD or cancer.
I would appreciate any responses.  This forum has been invaluable to me and has kept me on tx when I felt I could not go on.
Thank you all very much, bless you
Dee

[orphanedhawk]

For everyone's information, Dee is finished with treatment and feeling better.

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/343471/End-of-my-treatment-?personal_page_id=337358

[bootcampbilly]

I also have similar anxities with a short fuse etc. Yours sounds pretty bad.

Proxac only works 60% of the time and it does not get to the root of the problem. Western Psychologist just treat symptoms, leaving the root of the anxiety untouches.
You do not have a normal situation due to the meds, which is a big part of the root. However, even though you cannot eliminate that root, you can learn the most important skill anyone can learn, on or off meds. That is how to get to the inner peace that you are capable of reaching, and learning hoe to relax your brain,( that controls your emotions and everything). The problem is that not everyone knows how to meditate the correct way. Most will tell you just to concentrate on your breathing.
Meditetion can be a tool for you but it is something that may take a few weeks  to achieve the desired results ( a tool to use to manage pain and relax instantly).  Take it with a grain of salt but if you want to hear anymore on the way to do this just post me.

[KBFILLY]

I know how you feel. I have 7 weeks left of tx. Since I finished the Incivik I have been feeling worse..But I am UND and have to be positive till the end of treatment..I am on zolft and xanax but the side effects still are there.  I hope you feel better.

[stormy456]

Best of luck to you, Peter.

[Peter2012]

Now nearly finished of my 6th week on PegIntron. The RNA-HCV test after 4 weeks showed viral load of 44, down from about 700,000. They say anything under 100 is considered negative or an "Early Viralogical Response".  The side effects don't seem as bad now, except for an itchy dry rash over about half my body and two more boils from the low white blood cell side effect.

I'm 57 and have stage 4 cirrhosis. The treatment is not as bad as I expected, except for the rash. I feel if I can make it to the last week I have a decent chance of success.

[his3707]

Hi Dee, glad to see your hanging on even if it is by your big toe!  My family has told me they wish I could sleep thru treatment or that they could just sleep through it.  I have been horrible, unreasonable, un everything!  I tried several anti depressants  but nothing seemed to work very good.  I have taken zanax but used it more as a sleep aid.  Didnt work very good after a week.  Went from .5 to 1.5 quckly ( that is 3  .5's)   Got on Lunesta which helped with the sleep.    Now my doc has put me on zyprexa.  It is a mood stablizer.  It is used for several different  phycological conditions.    I have been on it over a week and felt much better fairly quick.  I hope it lasts!  Now I take the Lunesta wether I need it or not and the zyprexa.     I got the zyprexa more for anger management but my study doc is the one who suggested it.  She has prescribed it for many people on treatment.    Check it out or something similar.  Hope you get to feeling better for longer stretches soon.  I am doing shot 39 tonight .  Putting it off until the last minute!  
Lydia